Machine for folding and cementing paper articles



MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND CEMENTING PAPER ARTICLES 12, 1956 A ril 29, 1958 J. L. YONKERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

MACHINE. FOR FOLDING AND CEMENTING PAPER ARTICLES A ril 29, 1958 J. L. YONKERS Filed Dec. 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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5 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 1958 J. L. YONKERS MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND CEMENTING PAPER ARTICLES Filed Dec. 12, 1956 I WW .\t\\\\\\ MIIMQNQW km, 11 NN 115i gm QM w nited Sttes MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND CEMENTING PAPER ARTICLES This invention relates to a machine for folding and cementing paper articles and more particularly articles of air permeable paper, such as cone filters for use in suction cleaners and the like. While the invention will be disclosed in connection with paper cones, it is understood that the invention may be applied to other articles and certain features of the invention are generally applicable to paper handling. In United States Patent No. 2,198,568 issued April 23, 1940, there is disclosed and claimed a suction cleaner wherein the filtering element is a cone of air permeable paper. In a physical embodiment of such cleaner, the paper cone has a high degree of porosity and may have a dimension of about between 9 and on the side of the cone with the diameter of the cone base being about 12''.

It is customary to manufacture such cones from sheet paper of suitable porosity and die cut a blank which can be folded to provide a conical shape. The conical filters as a rule have the paper overlapping at a glue line, the region of overlap extending usually along a straight line from the apex to the base of the cone. Since the paper used in themanufacture of the cone is relatively expensive, it has been found that such a blank makes more eflicient use of the paper with a minimum of waste.

Small paper cones as drinking cups are manufactured in machines involving the application of suction to the paper and winding the paper around a conical mandrel. Due to the porosity of the filter paper, paper cup technique is not practical for the manufacture of filter cones. In addition thereto, the comparatively large size of the filter cones as compared to filter cups would make the design and manufacture of .a machine along the lines of paper cup machines very costly.

This invention provides an apparatus or machine for folding and cementing porous paper to make paper cones or other paper objects. In particular, the new machine makes possible the handling and folding of porous paper and the cementing thereof to provide any desired shape and size filtercone.

The invention in general provides means for initially orienting a paper blank at a feeding or supply station. Such orienting means may includes guide fingers cooperating with the edges of the paper blank. The guide fingers should be stationary relatively to a conveyor belt passing from the feeding station to a discharge station. The conveyor belt itself has templates for engaging an oriented blank and moving the same forwardly with the conveyor belt for folding and cementing operations. An important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a floating support for the guide fingers so that these guide fingers will always be at a fixed position relative to the adjacent portion of the conveyor belt in spite of irregularities in belt action.

An additional important feature of the present invention resides in the means and manner of applying cement so that in the absence of a paper blank, little cement is applied to the machine and even that is dried and blown away. Thus the new machine is substantially free of any tendency for accumulating dried cement and free of any tendency to apply cement on undesired parts of the paper. This is an important characteristic and keeps the machine clean and operative for long periods of time.

After cement has been applied to a folded part of the blank, another portion of the blank is folded with the edges overlapping. Means for setting the cement are provided and thereafter air blasts are provided for blowing the finished, flattened conical filter from the machine.

For a complete understanding of the invention reference will now be made to the drawings showing an exemplary embodiment of the machine for making paper filter cones. It is understood that variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Figure l is a perspective view of the new machine.

Figures 2 and 2a together show a top plan View of the machine of Figure l.

Figures 3 and 3a together show elevations of the machine of Figures 2 and 2a taken along lines 3--3 and 3a3a respectively.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail along line 4-4 of Figure 2a.

Figure 5 is a perspective detail illustrating the template fingers.

Figure 6 is a perspective detail showing a template on a portion of the conveyor belt.

Figure 7 is a detail showing the mounting of the hold down bars.

Figure 8 is a sectional detail along line 3-8 of Figure 2 illustrating the floating detaining pin support.

Figure 9 is a detail illustrating the mounting of the heater shoe, this view showing the heater shoe elevated to an inoperative position.

Figure l0-is a detail on line 1tl10 of Figure 6 illustrating the attachment of the rear portion of a template to the conveyor belt.

The entire machine is supported on table 10 having spacedsupporting rails 11 and 12 and depressed belt supporting panel 13. Panel 13 may be of polished metal upon which a belt may slide easily. Between rails 11 and 12 and above panel 13 there is disposed conveyor belt 15 extending around pulleys or drums lfiand 17 at the two ends of the table. The conveyor. belt may be of any suitable material such as canvas, leather, plastic or the like. Conveyor belt 15 is driven in the direction indicated by arrows by any suitable means as an electric motor.

Conveyor belt 15 carries at spaced regions along the length thereof a number of templates 20 of similar construction. Each template 20 is of thin, generally stiff material, such as sheet stainless steel, brass, plastic, wood or the like and consists of front portion 21, having pointed top 22 and sloping edges 22a and 22b, and rear portion 23 slotted at 23a. Each template 20-is attached to belt 15 by rivets or other suitable fastening means 24 at rear portion 23 of the template. As illustrated in Figure 10, fastening means 24 may consist of flat head screws and nuts. Preferably the screw heads are flush with the inner belt surface. Thus smooth pulleys. may. be used. It is desirable to draw a template fiat against the belt when the belt is straight. As shown in Figure 10, nuts 2 3a are cupped and have annular shoulder 24b engaging the edge of the template material at the aperture. When the screw is drawn up, the belt material is forced into the cupped nut. The nut shoulder engages the template material evenly around the aperture and holds the template flat.

It is possible to reverse the positions of the bolt and nut. In such case the bolt head would be cupped and provided with a shoulder while the nut would preferably 7 be countersunk.

Instead of bolt and nut means, rivets may be used. Thus the threaded portion of bolt 24 would simply be smooth and the free end would be spread over a cupped member.

It is thus clear that the threaded portion of the bolt may be considered as a pin passing through aligned apertures in the belt and template. The pin has enlarged head means at opposite ends thereof. The head adjacent the template is cupped away from the template and the edge of the head is braced against the template. In tightening the fastening means, the belt material is pulled into the cupped region and hence maintains the template flat against the belt. Because of the thinness of the paper stock it is important that the template be maintained when both are straight so that the paper will be gripped. Due to the fragility of the paper, it is desirable that the entire template be flat and engage substantially all of the paper below it.

Each template 20 is provided forwardly of rear portion 23 with a number of apertures 26 into which extend bent ends 28 of spring fingers 29 attached to the template. Each spring finger 29 has spring loop portion 30 and is attached to the rear of the corresponding aperture 26 so that the fingers extend forwardly along the line of travel of the template and conveyor belt. When a template is above the conveyor belt, spring finger 29 urges bent end 28 against the conveyor belt.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the left-hand end of the machine has the feeding or supply station for paper blanks. Thus for making a particular paper cone, thin air permeable paper may be cut to form blank 32 shown in Figure 2. Blank'32 is generally pie shaped and has generally circular edge portion 33 and radial edges 34 and 35. The shape of the blank will vary depending upon the cone angle. In the particular example illustrated, the angular extent of circular portion 33 appears to be of the order of about 230 or 240 The exact value is not important. The blank as illustrated is provided with a number of outwardly extending tabs 37 and 38 which are desired for use in the suction cleaner. In order to locate blank 32 properly, blank detaining pins 39 and 40 are provided. These pins are so located that blank 32 will be properly oriented thereon.

Blank detaining pins 39 and 46 are preferably maintained at a fixed position with respect to conveyor belt 15. The belt will generally tend to weave laterally during travel and will therefore move the templates laterally from a precise path. This may result in lack of precision for orienting the blanks at the supply station. Blank detaining pins 39 and 40 may be carried by a plate which floats with belt 15. As shown in Figure 8, smooth plate 40a has olfset sides 40b and 400 overlying rails 11 and 12 respectively. The distance between offset sides 4% and 400 is equal to the width of belt 15. The space between rails 11 and 12 is somewhat greater than the belt width so that plate 40a may move laterally with the belt in case of Weaving. As plate 40a moves, pins 39 and 40 will also move. Thus pins 39 and 40 will have fixed positions laterally of the templates a they move with the belt.

If desired, sides 40b and 400 may carry telescopic means for pins 39 and 40 permitting the pins to be pulled downwardly flush with sides 40b and 400 to release a paper blank from the supply station at proper times. Rails 11 and 12 would have clearance openings for solenoids or other means to actuate the pins. Rails 11 and 12 carry fixed stop pins 41 at the front of floating plate 40a to prevent forward movement with belt 15. In order to aid in disposing blank 32 in position, means are provided for generating a blast of air downwardly on top of a blank on the conveyor belt at the supply station. The blast may be continuous but preferably is intermittent in timed relation to the movement of a template down on the blank. It is not necessary that each blank 32 be accurately disposed in position. As long as the blank is positioned to the left of pins 39 and 40 and over the conveyor belt, friction between the conveyor belt and the paper blank will move the blank into the starting position shown in Figure 2. Each blank 32 is disposed directly on conveyor belt 15 at a time between successive templates.

Blank 32 is caught by pins 39 and 40 and is held in a position even though conveyor belt 15 is moving until the next template 20 arrives. As illustrated at the extreme left of Figure 2, front portion 21 of template 20 is clear of the conveyor belt as it comes upwardly around the pulley. After the template completes the turn around pulley 16, portion 21 of the template comes down upon the paper blank and presses the blank tightly against the conveyor belt surface.

Prior to a template coming down upon a paper blank, a blast of air from pipe 42 is released upon the blank. This blast positions the blank properly upon'the conveyor, flattens the paper and insures proper engagement between the template and blank. It is important that the beginning of the blast be accurately timed. To this end each template has lug 23a with bolt 23b adjustable therein. Lug 23a is at the side of the template and preferably adjacent rail 12 to be away from an operator who will usually be near the opposite (rail 11) side of the machine. Bolts 23b are adjustable in lug 23a over a sufficiently great range along the direction of belt travel so that the forward end of a bolt may be accurately positioned above a belt. Thus the forward end of a bolt may be considered as a timing element, whose position may be adjusted to compensate for irregularities in template location along the length of belt 15. The blast should last until the template is down upon the blank.

Bolts 23b cooperate with control finger 23c for controlling the air blast. Finger 23c extends into the path of travel of bolts 23b and may control a switch or air valve. Finger 23c is carried on rail 12 and will be tripped when a template passes it. For convenience the finger control is advanced along the machine and is actuated by the template ahead of the one at the region of air blast. Finger 23c and its mount are adjustable along rail 12 to control the overall timing of the air blast.

Fingers 29 of a template engage the edge of blank 32. After a template comes down upon a blank, the blank is forced to travel past pins 39 and 40. These pins are polished and short so that the paper readily rides over the pins. It is possible to retract pins 39 and 40 just after template 20 engages a blank, as previously suggested.

Just ahead of the starting position of a blank is hold down roller 42a carried by arm 42b. The roller is disposed substantially along the center line of belt 15 and the central portion of the paper blank. Any other position laterally of the belt may be provided and several rollers may be provided. The roller pressure is enough to insure that the paper blank will continue to be moved with the template during folding. The roller may be omitted.

Along the path of travel of blank 32 is cam block 44 having an upward and forward slope. This cam block is on rail 12 for engagement with radial edge 34 of the blank. Block 44 has its slope shaped so that as blank 32 advances, the blank is folded over edge 22b of the template. To the right of block 44 and further along the line of travel of the blank is fold bar 47 of flat strip material. Fold bar 47 is suitably attached at 48 to rail 12. Fold bar 47 has a number of slots 47a so positioned and dimensioned as to clear the projecting nut and bolt portions holding the templates to the belt. Spring fingers 29 are bent or flattened as they pas under the fold bars.

The body of the fold bar extends over a part of the conveyor belt, the fold bar also extending forwardly of the line of travel of the conveyor belt. Fold bar 47 and assaaes cam block 44 cooperate to effect the folding of portion 32a of the paper blank. It will benoted that radial edge 34 of the paper blank is now parallel to the line of travel of the conveyor belt. In order to keep a paper blank properly in position below the template during the first folding operation, suitable means for pressing the template against the paper blank are provided.

Thus as illustrated, idler roller 49 carried by pivoted arm 50 is provided. Idler roller 49is disposed so that it can ride over that part of the template which is clear of folded part 3211 of the blank. The weight of idler 49 is sufiicient to prevent blank 32 from turning or moving out of position with respect to the template during folding.

Continuing from left to right. along the length of the machine and referring to Figures 2 and 3, rail 12 carries bracket 54 extending over a portion of the conveyor belt. Bracket 54 loosely supports a number of hold down strips 55, 56 and 57 extending along the machine. The right ends of these hold down strips are loosely carried by bracket 59 rigidly attached to rail 12. As illustrated in Figure 7, the hold down strips carry bolts 58 which are loose in the support brackets. Thus the strips rest with their weight upon the paper. This pressure may be adjusted by springs to be greater or less, as desired. Hold down strips 55 to 57 inclusive, cooperate with the first folded portion of the paper blank and serve to maintain the folded over portion of the blank in position during the travel of the blank along the machine. Strips 55 to 5'7 inclusive may be of any suitable material such as metal or plastic or wood. As shown in Figure 2, the forward ends of strips 55, 56 and 57 are bent up and are in a line generally parallel to template edge 22b.

The bottom of each hold down strip is preferably pro vided with a facing 58a of polyethylene plastic or poly ethylene derivative as T efion or Kel-F or silicone rubber. Such. material is desirable for the reason that it has a natural greasy feel and does not readily retain dirt. Such a facing will eliminate smudging the filter paper. Each template 20 has facing 22c of similar polyethylene plastic or derivative along the path containing the cementing means.

The paper blank immediately after folding reaches a cementing station generally indicated by 60. This station is provided with cement container 61 which may consist of a suitable bottle having downwardly extending pipe 62 adapted to supply a small amount of cement to the edge of idler wheel 63. The cement used is preferably a synthetic material which dries fast and which may be used on paper. Idler wheel 63 is driven by shaft 64 extending into gear box 65. The gears in the gear box may be driven by an individual motor or may be connected by a chain or belt to be driven by the same motor that operates the conveyor belt. Cooperating with idler wheel 63 is cementing wheel 67 driven from shaft 68 extending from the gear box. Cementing wheel 67 contacts the periphery of idler wheel 63 and picks up some cement therefrom. Idler wheel 63 is provided with guard 69. This guard consists of a curved member extending around a substantial portion of the edge of idler wheel 63.

The arrangement for applying cement may generally be conventional. The edges of idler 63 and cementing Wheel 67 are suitably shaped for the work. Cementing wheel 67 which applies the cement to the paper is mounted in such fashion that the cementing edge thereof is clear of conveyor belt 15 and strip 15a to be described. However the clearance is such that when a template passes underneath the cementing wheel, contact is established between the template surface and edge of the cementing wheel. Thus folded over portion 32:: of the paper blankzwhich lies over a template portion is contacted by thecementing wheel and has a line of cement applied thereto as the paper blank moves toward the right of the. machine. The elevation of cementing wheel 67 above.

the belt may be adjusted by screw 67a. The gear assembly may be pivoted on rod 67b so that screw 67a will raise or lower the cementing wheel. Facing strip 220 of each template can receive the cement in the absence of a blank. Due to the nature of facing strip 22'c and the drying of the cement, a template will always be free of cement just before reaching the cement wheel.

It is preferred to have the cementing wheel turnin a direction so that the portion contacting the paper blank moves with the paper and at the same speed. It is under stood that the cementing Wheel is as wide as desiredfor a cement line. A generally uniform line of cement along the paper blank will be provided as the same travels along the machine. The line of cement is preferably applied at a portion of the paper blank disposed inwardly of the edge of the paper, in this instance edge 34. In order to maintain the free edge of the folded paper down against the template as the paper is moving to the cementing wheel, there may be provided polished idler 7t) carried by weighted arm 71 supported on rail 11. Weighted arm 71 is supported so that the arm may be swung-upwardly when access to the belt is necessary. Slotted portion 23a of a template lies along the cement line and provides clearance between the cement wheel and template after the paper has passed.

It is preferred to provide facing strip 15a along belt 15, strip 15a generally being similar in nature to the facing strips below hold down strips 55, 56 and 57. In

the case of belt 15, strip 15a will have to be flexible. Polyethylene or related materials as Teflon or Kel-F are particularly desirable. Strip 15a is located so that if cement does happen to drop on the belt, it will fall on strip 15a. After drying, the cement blows away.

Portion 32a of the paper blank has now been folded over and has had a cement line applied near one edge of the folded portion. As the paper blank progresses along the machine, it is now ready to have remaining portion 32b of the blank, bordering edge 35, folded over with the edges 34 and 35 overlapping to provide a cemented joint. To this end rail 11 supports cam block 75 having upwardly and forwardly sloping surface 76 facing the oncoming paper blank. Cam block 75 is supported in such fashion as to encounter portion 32b of the paper blank overlying the edge of rail 11. The arrangement is such that while cam block 75 is raising unfolded portion 32b of the paper blank overlying rail 11, cementing wheel 67 and idler 70 exert pressure upon the paper blank and hold the blank in proper position.

Beyond cam block 75 is fold bar 78 extending forwardly along the line of travel of the belt and also extending transversely of the machine over the conveyor belt. Fold bar 73 operates on portion 32b of the paper blank raised by block 75. Fold bar 78 is slotted to clear the template fasteners. As the template carries the blank forwardly underneath bar 78, part 32b of the paper blank is folded against edge 22a of a template. Friction of hold down bars 55 to 57 inclusive on part 32a of the paper blank insures that portion 32a of the. blank will be maintained in position against template edge 34.

It is clear that the cement line need not necessarily be along the center of the belt. If the folded filter is to be further folded, it may be desirable to have the seam be nearer one of the folded paper edges rather than have the seam bisect the angle formed by the flat filter. This would require each blank 32 to be positioned non-symmetrically at the supply station and would also mean that one folded portion would not be exactly like the other folded portion of the blank. Also the forward tip of template 2t? would be non-symmetrical and slot 23 would be off-center.

After passing fold bar '78, folded portion 32b of the blank goes under hold down bars 80 and 81 extending longitudinally of the machine. Bars 80 and 81 are similar to bars 55, 56 and 57 and bars 80 and 81 are sufficient to exert a gentle force upon the folded paper and press the same smoothly into position. The forward ends of bars 55, 56 and 57, 80 and 81 or the bottom faces may curve upwardly so that when a paper blank first encounters the hold down bars, the blank and template will slide smoothly under the bars as the conveyor belt moves. Bracket 83 also supports fold bar 79 to prevent any paper from climbing.

It is desirable to apply heat and pressure to the cemented joint on a filter cone. To this end, there is provided ironing shoe 87 having pressing iron 88 extending longitudinally of the machine and positioned above the seam or glue line of the paper blank as it passes along the machine. Shoe 87 has suitable heating means therein, as lamps or heater strips and is supported in any desired fashion. As illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 9, shoe 87 has its forward end provided with links 89 engaged by crank 90 provided with handle 91. Crank 90 is supported on rails 11 and 12. By throwing handle 91 up, the forward end of shoe 87 may be raised clear. Other means may be provided. Pressing iron 88 along the bot- F tom of the shoe is heated and hot presses the seam, the shoe weight pressing the iron down upon the paper. The leading end of iron 38 may be curved upwardly for easy entry of the paper. Preferably, iron 88 has a facing of Teflon or Kel-F. It is understood that the temperature of the iron is maintained low enough so as not to damage the plastic.

As is apparent from Figure 2, a paper blank will have been folded into position prior to the time that the blank reaches the heating zone. Shoe 87 and iron 88 extend for a suitable distance along the length of the machine. During passage of a paper blank under iron 88, the heat and pressure is sufficient to set or dry the cement. At the discharge end of the machine means are provided for blowing a paper filter from the template.

This filter blowing means includes a pair of flexible hose 95 and 96. Hose 95 and 96 are connected to motor driven blowers 100. The hose ends are disposed adjacent the ends of the hold down bars. Bridged "across rails 11 and 12 is cone retarding bar 102 pivotally supported on rails 11 and 12. Retarding bar 102 is located beyond where conveyor belt 15 curves downwardly around roller 17. Since each template is attached to the conveyor belt at the rear portion of the template, the conveyor belt will fall away from front portion 21 of a template as roller 17 is reached. The air blasts from the nozzles will sufiice to blow a cone forwardly of the template while bar 102 acts to prevent opening up the cone. Any free cement on a template or on plastic strip 15a will be dried by the heat from shoe 87 and will be blown away. Bar 102 may be covered with a polyethylene layer to prevent dirt from getting on to the paper.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for folding and cementing air permeable paper blanks to make filter cones, said machine comprising a pair of spaced, parallel rollers, a conveyor belt having a portion thereof extending between said rollers, said conveyor belt being adapted to travel during machine operation from one roller to the other roller, a plurality of templates mounted on said conveyor belt at spaced intervals along the length thereof, each template being stiff enough to be self-supporting and extending forwardly along the direction of conveyor travel, means for securing each template to the conveyor belt at the rear portion of the template :so that the front portion of the template because of its stiffness will clear the conveyor belt when the template is moving around a roller, a supply station adjacent the first roller, air means at said supply station for urging a paper blank against a conveyor belt, blank engaging means at said supply station for restraining a blank at the supply station from moving with the conveyor belt, said supply station being disposed rela tive to said first roller that a paper blank in proper position at said supply station will have the front portion of a template come down upon the blank, fingers on each template for engaging portions of a blank so that a tem- Cir plate will urge a paper blank to move with it, said urge being suflfiicient to overcome the restraint of said means, said blank having portions normally extending beyond the template edges, first folding means disposed along the line of travel of a blank for engaging one portion of a blank to fold thesame about a template edge, means for applying a line of cement upon the outside of the folded paper portion, a second folding means disposed along the line of travel of said paper blank for folding a second portion of the paper blank over the template to provide a seam and air blast means for discharging a folded and cemented paper filter from a template adjacent the second roller.

2. A machine for folding and cementing air permeable paper blanks to make filter cones, said machine comprising a pair of spaced parallel horizontal rollers, a conveyor belt having a portion thereof extending generally horizontally between said rollers, said conveyor belt being adapted to travel during machine operation from one roller to the other roller, a plurality of stiff templates mounted on said conveyor belt at spaced intervals along the length thereof, each template extending forwardly along the direction of conveyor travel, means for securing each template to the conveyor belt at the rear portion of the template so that the front portion of the template because of its stiffness will clear the conveyor belt when the template is moving around a roller, a supply station adjacent the first roller, said supply station having air blast means for urging a paper blank downwardly against a conveyor belt, said supply station also having blank engaging means for restraining a blank at the supply station from moving with the conveyor belt, said supply station being disposed relative to said first roller so that a paper blank in proper position at said supply station will have the front portion of a template come down upon the blank, fingers on each template for engaging portions of a blank so that a template will urge a paper blank to move with it, said urge being sufficient to overcome the restraining means, said blank having portions normally extending beyond the template edges, first folding means disposed along the line of travel of a blank for engaging one portion of a blank to fold the same about a template edge, means for applying a line of cement upon the outside of the folded paper portion, a second folding means disposed along the line of travel of said paper blank for folding a second portion of the paper blank over the template to provide a seam and air blast means for discharging a folded and cemented paper filter from a template adjacent the second roller.

3. The machine according to claim 2 wherein a plate is provided near the supply station and extending transversely underneath the horizontally extending portion of the conveyor belt, means for supporting the belt on said plate so that said plate will move laterally with the belt during weaving, means for restraining said plate from moving forwardly with said belt during belt travel, said plate having portions extending beyond the belt sides, said blank restraining means comprising fingers carried by said plate portions whereby said blank restraining means has a substantially constant position laterally of the conveyor belt portion.

4. A machine for folding and cementing air permeable paper blanks to make filter cones, said machine comprising a pair of spaced horizontal rollers, a conveyor belt having a portion thereof extending generally horizontally between said rollers, said conveyor belt being adapted to travel during machine operation from one roller to the other roller, said belt having a portion longitudinally thereof provided with a facing strip of poly ethylene, a plurality of stiff templates mounted on said conveyor belt at spaced intervals along the length thereof, each template extending forwardly along the direction of conveyor travel, means for securing each template to the conveyor belt at the rear portion of the template so that the front portion of the template will clear the conveyor belt when the template is moving around a roller, a supply station adjacent the first .roller, said supply station having air blast means for urging a paper blank downwardly against a conveyor belt, said supply station also having blank engaging means for restraining a blank at the supply station from moving with the conveyor belt, said supply station being so disposed relative to said first roller that a paper blank in proper position at said supply station will have the front portion of a template come down upon the blank, fingers on each template for engaging portions ofa blank so that a template will urge a paper blank to move with it, said urge being suflicient to overcome the restraining means, said blank having portions normally extending beyond the template edges, first folding means disposed along the line of travel of a blank for engaging one portion of a blank to fold the same about a template edge, said folded part overlying the belt facing strip, means for applying a line of cement upon the outside of the folded paper portion in alignment with the 'belt facing strip, a second folding means disposed along the line of travel of said paper blank for folding a second portion of the paper blank over the template to provide a seam, means for applying heat and pressure to said seam as the paper travels and air blast means for discharging a folded and emented paper filter from a template adjacent the second roller.

5. The machine according to claim 4 wherein the means for restraining the paper blank at the supply station includes pins for engaging the forward edges of the paper blank, and means for mounting the pins so that they have a constant position laterally of the belt.

6. The machine according to claim 5 wherein stationary means are provided for pressing down the template upon the paper blank at a point just ahead of the normal stationary position of the blank at the supply station whereby said paper blank will be maintained properly in position with respect to its template as the blank approaches the first folder.

7. The machine according to claim 6 where means are provided for pressing the template down upon the paper just prior to reaching of the second folding means.

8. The machine according to claim 4 wherein elongated hold down bars are provided, said bars being disposed over the conveyor belt and serving to press the folded paper portions into position against the template surface, said hold down bars having the paper engaging surfaces formed of a plastic including polyethylene.

9. The machine according to claim 2 wherein a bar across the conveyor belt and spaced above the same adjacent the second roller is provided, said bar being stationary and being disposed above the paper filters and preventing the paper filters from opening up excessively in response to the blast of air which moves them from the templates.

10. In a machine for cementing paper, the combination of a conveyor belt having at least a longitudinal portion thereof provided with a plastic strip having the characteristic that cement will not adhere thereto, templates movable with said conveyor belt for holding paper articles in connection with folding, each template having a plastic strip aligned with the belt plastic strip and being similar thereto, means for applying a line of cement, said means being in line with the plastic portion of said conveyor belt, heating means over a portion of the conveyor belt in line with the cementing means, means for maintaining said cement means separated from said conveyor belt, the spacing however being such that a template going with the conveyor belt will have contact with the cementing means.

11. The machine according to claim 10 and means cooperating with said templates for folding paper, said means including longitudinal hold down bars for riding upon the folded portions of the paper to press the same against the templates, said hold down bars having the paper 12. The machine according to claim. 10 wherein said plastic is of the group consisting of polyethylene, silicone rubber and polyethylene derivatives.

13. In a machine for folding and cementing paper *blanks, the combination of laterally spaced, stationary rails, a conveyor belt of flexible sheet material having an active portion disposed. between the rails, pulleys at the machine ends for said belt, means for moving said conveyor belt so that said active portion travels between the rails, a supply station at one end of said machine.

and a discharge station at the other end of said machine, a plurality of templates supported on said. belt, said templates being disposed along the length of said .belt. in.

spaced formation, each template beingshaped to provide forward edges about which a paper blank. is folded, means for supporting each template upon said belt along,

the rear portion of said template only, a floating plate carried by said rails at the supply station and extending transversely of the belt, said floating plate extending underneath the conveyor belt between the rails and being as wide as the belt and having portions engaging the belt edges and supporting said belt, means for preventing said floating plate from traveling longitudinally of the rails with said belt, detent pins carried by said floating plate, said detent pins being positioned to engage the forward edges of a paper blank when in proper starting position, said blank being prevented from moving from the starting position with the conveyor belt by said pins, said supply station being located close enough to the end pulley of the belt so that a template traveling with the belt around said pulley will have the forward portion of the template clear the belt and will come down upon the detained paper blank as the belt moves, means on the template for engaging said paper blank to push the same past the detent pins so that said blank moves with the template and means for folding, cementing and discharging said paper blank.

14. In a machine for folding and cementing paper blanks, the combination of laterally spaced, stationary rails, a conveyor belt of flexible sheet material having an active portion disposed between the rails, pulleys at the machine ends for said belt, means for moving said conveyor belt, a supply station at one end of said machine and a discharge station at another end of said machine, a plurality of templates supported on said belt, said templates being disposed along the length of said belt in spaced formation, each template being shaped to provide edges about which a paper blank is folded, means for supporting each template upon said belt along the rear portion of said template only, detent pins relatively stationary positioned to engage the forward edges of a paper blank in proper starting position, said blank being me vented from moving with the conveyor belt by said pins, said supply station being located close enough to the end pulley of the belt so that a template traveling with the belt around said pulley will have the forward portion of the template clear the belt and will come down upon the detained paper blank as the belt moves, means on the template for engaging said paper blank to push the same past the detent pins so that said blank moves with the template, means for folding, cementing and discharging said paper blank, control means on each template, stationary means cooperating with each control means in succession, and means actuated by said control means for creating a blast of air down upon the blank at the feeding station as a template is dropping down upon the blank.

15. The machine according to claim 14 wherein the control means on each template is adjustable along the line parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt so that the timing may be properly adjusted in spite of inequalities in spacing along the belt of the templates.

16. The machine according to claim 15 wherein the stationary means cooperating with the template control means is adjustable along a line parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt for adjusting the overall timing of the air blasts upon the blanks at the feeding station.

17. The machine according to claim 16 wherein said conveyor belt has a plastic strip on the outside surface thereof in line with the cementing means and wherein hold down bars are provided for holding the blank down against the conveyor belt and templates during part of the travel of said blank through the machine, said hold down bars having plastic facings and said plastic being of the type to which dried cement will not adhere.

18. The machine according to claim 17 wherein means are provided for hot pressing the cemented seam, said hot pressing means including an elongated iron having a plastic facing of a polyethylene derivative which is resistant to heat.

19. In a machine for folding and cementing thin paper blanks, the combination of a conveyor belt and a plurality of pulleys over which said conveyor belt travels, a plurality of stilt templates secured to said conveyor belt for holding the paper blanks in connection with folding, means for securing the rear portion of a template only to the conveyor belt so that as each template travels around the curved pulley surface most of the template body Will extend away from the belt, said securing means comprising a pin-shaped portion extending through aligned apertures in the belt and template, said pin portion having enlarged heads for engaging the belt and template respectively,vthe enlarged head on the template being cupped away from the template and having the edge of the head braced against the template material whereby the belt material is drawn toward the template within the cupping region to press the template flat down against the belt.

20. The machine according to claim 4 wherein said plastic material is Teflon.

21. The machine according to claim 4 wherein said conveyor belt facing strip is of Teflon, wherein each template has a Teflon facing strip in line with the cemented seam so that in the absence of a paper blank, cement will be applied to the Teflon facing strip and wherein pressing bars are provided for pressing, down the folded paper against the template, said pressing bars having Teflon facings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 524,938 Dalton et al. Aug. 21, 1894 551,747 Dummer Dec. 17, 1895 r 1,071,343 Pratt Aug. 26, 1913, 

